The Unconventional Macy Gray

~15~ A Good Thing

One year later.

I flipped over onto my stomach, enjoying the breeze off the Pacific ocean while simultaneously sheltered beneath a large umbrella. While I enjoyed being outdoors, I wasn't interested in getting sunburned.

Cynthia snored softly beside me on the blanket, able to sleep anywhere. I wished I could be so comfortable but sleeping in public was out of the question for me. I had a tendency to drool. I studied Cynthia as she slept. She hummed in her sleep sometimes. Other times she let out contented sighs.

After a year of living together as girlfriends, I got to know her pretty well. That part continued to amaze me. Fairy tale endings didn't happen in real life, yet mine did in an unexpected way. Mordok had promised it was a good thing. I couldn't argue with that. I was experiencing heaven on earth.

Grendel sent me continuous reports of father and daughter. They'd made a huge mess in Alluvia and here too. My tough grandfather made sure they put things to rights as their punishment. I never talked to them and for that I'm glad. It had taken me year to fully let go. I still get angry sometimes, but it faded quickly.

I saw Mom from time to time. She flitted back and forth between the two worlds. Popping in on me and Celia at the most inconvenient times just to annoy me. I told her I didn't want to her change and she took it literally.

Cynthia flopped her arm over my back. "Hungry."

"Are you asking or telling?"

"Both. We've got a choice. Eat out or stay in."

"Staying in means cooking but eating out means we have to go into town."

"We could order in. Have it delivered."

"A third option. I like it."

We went inside the house we bought recently. I always wanted to live on Hawaii and as it turned out, so did Cynthia. It was a no brainer, especially when we saw this house. A private beach far from nosy neighbors was the selling point. We had enough people nosing into our lives.

Cynthia ordered for us. We decided on pizza with all the fixings. "Get two," I suggested. "For the next day."

Neither of us were inclined to cook much since we moved here. I did occasionally, Cynthia not at all. This was the next best solution as we'd been given a surplus for our joint invention. A hand scanner that not only diagnosed but also healed. Just like Star Trek. Except it was real and not fueled by magic.

As Nobel prize winners we had our pick of assignments and we chose semi retirement in Hawaii. What the hell, we deserved it. 

We ate at the island, right out of the box. Neither of us wanted to do the dishes either. In fact, we've become quite lazy. "Hmm, good idea, Cyn," I said around a mouthful of pizza.

"Thanks. Hey, Macy, do you think we're getting into a rut?"

"Nope. Sometimes a rut is a good thing."

"We never go out. We just stay in and binge watch tv shows."

"So? We're comfortable. And that's the way I like it. I'd had enough bad dates and disastrous relationships in my life. I'm good with comfortable."

"So am I."

"So why bring it up."

"I don't know. I just thought we should spice it up."

"You've been reading those advice columns on romance again."

"Yep. They aren't wrong. A little spice in a relationship keeps things interesting."

"What do you suggest?"

"We could go skydiving."

"Nope."

"You're right. Bad idea. How about snorkeling?"

"We tried that once, remember? You had a panic attack when the fish got too close to you."

"Oh, right. You think of something."

"We could binge watch that new show we've always wanted to try but thought it too scary."

"Yes. That's it. I'm taking the pizza."

"I've got the wine."

Hours later, bloated and greasy from the pizza and wine, my phone rang. I frowned at the unfamiliar number. 

Beside me, Cynthia groaned. "Who is it?"

"I don't know."

"Don't answer." She faced me. "I think I ate too much. Tomorrow, I'm going on a diet."

"We could incorporate a morning walk into our non-existent exercise routine."

"Sounds good. One problem. I'm not a morning person."

My phone rang again. Same number. "I wonder who it is?"

"Answer at your own risk. I'm taking a shower. I suggest you join me."

"Now that is an invitation I can't turn down." I set the phone down then picked it up with intent on blocking the number. My finger hovered over the button when I impulsively answered it. "Hello?"

"Hello, Macy. It's Dad."

~

28,900 words! I love happy endings!